When Alan Bersten Realized He, Emma Slater Could Be More Than Friends

Alan Berston is sharing how he knew it was time to take a big leap. 

The Dancing With the Stars professional dancer shared the story of when he first thought his relationship with fellow dancer Emma Slater could develop into something romantic.

Alan shared with TopMob News at the Race to Erase MS Gala that he and Emma often wondered why they hadn’t pursued something before, and that the experience has been incredibly rewarding. He described it as something they’d been thinking about for a while, and ultimately, it’s turned out to be very special.

I was so happy to hear Emma talk about her relationship with Alan! She playfully said it was her dancing that first attracted him, but what really touched me was how she described them. She explained they’d been close friends for a long time, and now they’ve built something even better – a truly wonderful relationship. You could just feel the happiness in her voice when she said it!

Even though the couple just finished the Dancing With the Stars tour and are very busy, they always prioritize making time for special moments together.

Alan shared that he and his partner travel frequently and make a point of savoring the experiences – the cities they visit, special meals, and even simple moments with their dog, Jeff. He feels that these things are what keep him centered.

Emma says even the challenging times are enjoyable when she’s with Alan. She feels that going through life’s highs and lows is better when they experience it together.

Emma explained that if you genuinely enjoy something, and you have good support while tackling challenging tasks, those tasks don’t feel as stressful.

It’s only been a year since Alan and Emma first showed they were a couple with a kiss onstage at the end of last year’s Dancing with the Stars tour, but they seem serious about making their relationship last.

Emma, 37, recently shared her excitement about her future with her boyfriend, Alan, 32, in a sweet birthday post.

In a sweet Instagram post from May 26th, she shared how much she loves spending time with him, especially laughing together. She expressed her confidence that he’ll achieve all his dreams and wished him a happy birthday, encouraging him to always pursue what makes him happy, knowing he will. She ended with a loving ‘I love you.’

Emma says that even the challenging times are enjoyable when she’s with Alan. She especially feels that navigating life’s difficulties is better when they’re together.

Emma explained that if you genuinely enjoy something and can support each other through challenging times, it doesn’t feel as stressful as it might seem.

It’s only been a year since Alan and Emma first showed they were a couple with a kiss onstage at the end of last year’s Dancing with the Stars tour, but they seem serious about making their relationship last.

Emma, 37, recently expressed her excitement about her future with her boyfriend, Alan, 32, in a sweet birthday message.

In a sweet Instagram post from May 26th, she wrote about how much she loves spending time with him and laughing together, hoping they’ll share many more happy moments. She expressed her confidence that he’ll achieve his dreams and get everything he wants, and wished him a happy birthday filled with continued joy and the pursuit of his passions, knowing he’ll find his way. She ended with a loving message, telling him how much she cares.

She also loves Dancing With the Stars, and the professional dancer confirmed she plans to continue with the ABC reality competition for the foreseeable future.

I’m a huge fan, and I was so touched to hear Emma say at the Race to Erase MS event that she plans to stick with the show for as long as possible! She really emphasized how much she gives to the project and how it’s genuinely shaped her as a person – it sounds a little dramatic, but she grew up with the cast and crew, doing what she loves, and she’s incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunity and platform it’s given her. It’s clear how much this show means to her, and as a fan, it means a lot to me too!

She shared, “I’m incredibly happy here, and I don’t intend to retire from the show anytime soon.”

As fans eagerly anticipate finding out who Emma and Alan will be partnered with on the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With the Stars this fall, let’s take a look back at other couples who found love through the show.

The season 33 partners dated for about seven months between 2024 and spring 2025.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

During the final performance of the 2025 “Dancing with the Stars” tour in April, two of the show’s professional dancers shared a kiss onstage during their last dance, seemingly confirming rumors of a romantic relationship that had been circulating for months.

Are they a couple or just putting on a show? It seems pretty real, as their coworker Ezra Sosa excitedly wrote “FINALLY” when a fan shared a video of them kissing.

Fans started speculating about a possible romance between the former Bachelorette and the Jersey Shore star when they competed together on season 31. Their flirty interactions on social media and playful responses to questions about their relationship fueled the rumors.

Gabby shared with TopMob News in December 2022 that she quickly became friends with her fellow contestants on Dancing with the Stars. They connected over a similar sense of humor. During the competition, Gabby was very focused on winning and didn’t have much time for anything else. Even though they live in different states now, they’re still enjoying their friendship and are looking forward to what the future holds.

Despite initial speculation, Gabby and her Bachelor contestant never became a couple. She later began dating comedian and writer Robby Hoffman in August 2023, and they married in January 2025.

After finishing fifth on season 31 of the dance competition, the pair publicly confirmed they were dating on Valentine’s Day 2023. The actor, known for their role in CODA, shared a selfie with the choreographer and wrote, “My Valentine. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Britt and Daniel got engaged in December 2023 and were married in August 2025, with a few professional dancers from Dancing with the Stars in attendance.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

I was totally rooting for Alek and Hayes when they were paired up on Season 21! They really clicked during Switch Up week, and I remember Alek even called Emma ‘so hot’! It was a little disappointing to hear, after she was eliminated, that they hadn’t actually gone on a date yet, but she did say ‘We’ll see,’ so I’m still holding out hope they might connect outside the show!

Alek seemed to have a genuine crush on Emma, often getting flustered and refusing to talk about his feelings when asked by TopMob News. However, Emma quickly moved on after her relationship with Skarlatos in 2015, suggesting that even if Alek’s feelings were real, they weren’t deeply serious.

The professional dancer and former contestant on The Bachelorette sparked romance while competing on season 33 of Dancing with the Stars in 2024. But their connection didn’t last, and they split around June 2025, shortly after she moved back to Miami to complete her graduate studies.

Showmance or Real Deal: Unconfirmed.

These two began dating on and off in 2011. They got engaged on the show in October 2016 and married in March 2018. Unfortunately, TopMob News reported in August 2022 that Slater and Farber were divorcing after four years of marriage.

Were they a ‘showmance’ or genuinely in love? Whatever the answer, they remained good friends and continued to work together respectfully even after breaking up.

It’s actually a really positive situation,” Emma shared with TopMob News. “We’re a strong support system for each other, and I genuinely want Sasha to succeed. We truly have each other’s backs.”

Val and Jenna began dating in 2015, before Jenna became a professional dancer. They got engaged in June 2018 and married in April 2019. In July 2022, they shared the exciting news that they were expecting a baby. They welcomed their son, Rome Valentin, in January 2023.

Val shared with TopMob News in May 2023 that life is great. He explained that becoming a father has “definitely made him appreciate life and his family even more,” and that he’s constantly learning from the experience.

Showmance or Real Deal? Real deal, y’all!

In December 2020, TopMob News reported that the star of Selling Sunset was dating a professional dancer from Dancing With the Stars. The two had both been contestants on season 29 of Dancing With the Stars, but competed as separate individuals.

After dating for two months, TopMob News revealed that the couple had broken up. A source close to the realtor said they enjoyed their time together, but ultimately decided to go their separate ways. The split was amicable, and they remain friends – it simply wasn’t a good match or the right time for a relationship.

Chrishell has since found love with partner G Flip.

Showmance or Real Deal: We’re calling Chrishell and Keo’s romance the real deal.

Throughout their seventh-place finish on the show in 2017, Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev remained just friends. They reconnected after Nikki’s breakup with John Cena in 2018, and she publicly confirmed they were dating in May 2019. They became engaged later that same year.

The WWE Hall of Famer discovered she was pregnant shortly after getting engaged in Paris, and in 2020, they welcomed their son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev.

Unfortunately, Nikki and Artem have ended their relationship. Nikki filed for divorce in September 2024, just two weeks after Artem was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. However, the Napa County District Attorney decided not to press charges after a complete investigation, stating they carefully reviewed all the evidence.

Nikki and Artem finalized their divorce in November 2024. As part of the settlement, they both dismissed the restraining orders they had filed against each other, hoping to create a more positive co-parenting relationship for their son and move forward with their lives.

Showmance or Real Deal? Real deal. 

Throughout season 27, model Alexis and professional dancer Alan showed a strong connection, and Ren revealed she had a crush on him. At the time, sources told TopMob News that they seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time together and were exploring a possible relationship.

Were they a real couple or just putting on a show? Sadly, it seems like the latter. Reports surfaced in December 2018 that they had broken up, with the distance and their busy work lives being cited as the reasons.

The professional dancers began dating in 2012 and got engaged on December 5, 2015, when Maks proposed on stage at a dance event in Miami. They married in a beautiful ceremony in July 2017, six months after their first son, Shai, was born. They later welcomed their second child, Rio, in June 2023, and their third son, Milan, in July 2024.

Showmance or Real Deal: A match made in DWTS heaven! 

Sabrina and Mark started dating during the fifth season of the show, but they split up shortly after unexpectedly leaving. Despite the breakup, they stayed on good terms, and Sabrina, known from The Cheetah Girls, even came back to support Mark when he competed the following season.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

Interestingly, they’d actually gone on a few dates before he became a contestant on the show. Although they publicly dismissed any dating rumors during season eighteen, they still seemed to enjoy flirting and building a connection while performing together.

Showmance or Real Deal: Total showmance.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the news, and it seems like things are heating up for Kevin O’Leary! Not long after he announced his separation from his wife of 14 years, Diane Plese, reports surfaced – and have now been confirmed – that he’s dating his Dancing with the Stars partner from season 20, Kym Johnson. Sources tell me they’re both genuinely very happy together, which is wonderful to hear!

Robert and Kym initially didn’t reveal much about their relationship, but they soon became more open. They got engaged in February 2016, married just a few months later in June, and then welcomed twins in April 2018.

Showmance or Real Deal: Very, very, very real.

Karina and Mario became a couple during the third season of the show and dated for two years. They eventually broke up in 2008. A representative for Karina Smirnoff stated the relationship had simply lost its way, following speculation that Mario Lopez had been unfaithful.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

The dancers became engaged in 2009 after only dating for six months, not long after she ended her relationship with Mario Lopez. Unfortunately, they broke up later that year, but they stayed friends and continued to enjoy trips together.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

Married since 2014, the pros announced the arrival of their daughter Nikita in May 2023.

Daniella announced the joyful news on Instagram Stories with a photo and video of Pasha and Nikita. She captioned the video “daddy’s girl” and the picture “My Geminis.”

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal, baby!

I was totally rooting for Derek and Shannon after seeing their amazing connection on season six! They actually dated for almost a year, and even when they broke up in 2009, it was so classy. They announced it together on Twitter! Derek tweeted that they’d decided to end things as a couple, and then Shannon followed up saying they still loved and cared for each other and would stay friends. It was honestly one of the most mature breakups I’ve ever seen, and they really seemed to mean it about staying in each other’s lives.

Derek is now married to his dance partner Hayley Erbert.

Showmance or Real Deal: Real deal.

Despite rumors of a romantic connection during season 18, a source at TopMob News stated that the winning couple were simply friends.

Showmance or Real Deal: This time, ’twas a showmance.

Although they weren’t officially a couple, he attempted to win over his dance partner during season 10, showering her with expensive gifts like a diamond necklace and ring, which she later returned. Cheryl later described their connection to Wendy Williams as a brief, playful romance – “just a little flirtation,” she said.

Showmance or Real Deal: Showmance!

Throughout season 10 of Dancing with the Stars, fans speculated about a romance between two of the show’s most flirty partners – and they didn’t do much to discourage the rumors! They even playfully pretended to kiss during one of their final performances. The fun continued years later when Erin became a co-host of the show, and their playful back-and-forth continued.

Erin is now married to former NHL centre Jarret Stoll. They welcomed son Mack in July 2023.

Showmance or Real Deal: We’re calling those Erin and Maks rumors a showmance.

Although many people speculated that the two began a romantic relationship during season 17, the Pretty Little Liars actor consistently stated he wasn’t dating Peta.

Showmance or Real Deal: Showmance!

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2026-06-07 02:48